Actor and former Miss India Celina Jaitly has spoken out after the Delhi High Court directed Indian authorities to ensure legal representation for her brother, Major (Retd.) Vikrant Kumar Jaitly, who has been detained in the United Arab Emirates since 2024. The court’s ruling marks a significant development in a case that Celina has been pursuing relentlessly for nearly 17 months, seeking justice, medical care, and due process for her brother.
Major Vikrant Jaitly, a retired Indian Army officer, has reportedly been held in custody in the UAE without formal communication or clarity regarding the charges against him. Alarmed by the prolonged detention and lack of access to legal and medical assistance, Celina had approached the Delhi High Court, urging it to intervene and direct the Indian government to step in.
Following Tuesday’s ruling, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has been instructed to facilitate legal representation for Vikrant Jaitly in the UAE and help in preparing his defence. Reacting to the decision, Celina expressed cautious optimism, calling the court order a long-awaited step in the right direction.
Celina Jaitly reacts to court-mandated legal support
Speaking to Hindustan Times, Celina confirmed that a UAE-based law firm, Khalid Almarri Partners and Advocates, will now represent her brother. The firm is expected to meet Vikrant Jaitly to better understand the circumstances surrounding his detention and the legal grounds on which he is being held.
“This ruling offers the essential clarity and directive to ensure a coordinated response,” Celina said, adding that she hopes the involvement of legal professionals will finally bring transparency to the case.
She also acknowledged that while the battle is far from over, the court’s intervention has provided a sense of direction after months of uncertainty. For Celina, who has consistently raised the issue across platforms and reached out to authorities, the order represents validation of her concerns and persistence.
A long fight for answers and support
Celina Jaitly has been vocal about her brother’s situation since learning of his detention. According to her, she was informed about Vikrant’s arrest by his wife, Charul Jaitly, nearly a month after the incident took place in September 2024. The delay, coupled with the absence of official information, intensified the family’s anxiety.
After retiring from the Indian Army, Vikrant had moved to Dubai, where he co-founded a business with his wife. Celina has maintained that her brother was living a law-abiding life and that the lack of formal charges or prosecution raises serious questions about the nature of his detention.
Over the past year and a half, the actor has contacted multiple institutions and officials, seeking diplomatic intervention and consular support. She has repeatedly emphasized that her brother, a former soldier who served the country for years, deserves basic legal rights and humane treatment.
Appeal to the Prime Minister
In an emotional appeal earlier, Celina had directly urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene. “My plea to Modiji is to please bring this soldier home. He has dedicated his entire youth to the country,” she had said.
She also questioned why her brother continued to remain imprisoned without clear charges. “If he had committed any offence, there would have been legal action by now. An Indian soldier is imprisoned abroad without prosecution—why should legal assistance be delayed any longer?” she asked.
Hope amid uncertainty
While the legal process in the UAE is yet to unfold fully, the High Court’s directive has renewed hope for the Jaitly family. With formal legal representation now in place and the MEA tasked with coordinating support, Celina believes that her brother’s case may finally see progress.
For now, she continues to advocate for transparency, fairness, and the safe return of her brother, stating that she will not stop until he receives justice and due process.
